Develop Your Networking Skills

Develop Your Networking Skills

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  Develop your NetworkingSkills
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  What is Networking? “ It’s not what you know, but who you know and who knows you that matters! ” • Networking can help you in every stage of your career exploration
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  Networking •“a group ofpeople who exchange information, contacts and experience for professional or social purposes” (oxford dictionary) • Many jobs aren’t advertised. The more people you know in a key areas, the more likely you are to hear about jobs. • People are your best source of information and people know other people who may be able to help you!
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  Networking can helpyou to… • Generate careers ideas • Find out about jobs you’ve not considered • Find out what a job is really like – ‘insider information’ • Ask how your skills and interests fit those of the job • Explore the hidden job market- where jobs aren’t advertised • Opportunity to ask for work experience
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  Unsure about networking,remember…! • You have probably already used networking skills (finding work experience/ part time work) • Most people are flattered to be asked for advice • There are many established networks that you can use • It never hurts to ask someone (tactfully) for help - they can always say no! • Many people establish successful careers using their networks
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  Face to facenetworking… Working the room……
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  Face to facenetworking • Set objectives that you want to achieve at the event! • Who do you want to meet and why? • Starting conversations- “Do you mind if I join you?” • Introduce yourself, shake hands! • Think what information are you looking for? “How did you get into your industry?” Start with small talk and work up to what you are looking for • Ask good questions & Listen a lot!! ….. be interested! • Don’t overstay your welcome! • Follow up the contacts that you have made!
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  Networking for ‘Makeit Happen’ • Look at the list of speakers before attending the event & think about who you want to talk to • Research their organisation • Read their biographies if you can (hand-outs at the event) • Think about the questions you want to ask them • Interesting selection of Careers information interviewing questions here: www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing.html • Think of 2 or 3 well selected questions to ask speaker • Remember that lots of people want to talk to our speakers too!
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  Creative Approaches- findingcontacts Contacts you already have • Friends, family, friends of friends . • Academics • Contacts from past work experience, vacation work Contacts you need to find •Vacancies advertised in newspapers and on the web. •Use the contact details from the vacancy advert. •Names in journals, magazines, reports, the press. •The phone book and Yellow Pages (www.yell.com ) •Specialist directories and lists of companies •Linked in – Search facility
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  Online Networks A professionallooking online presence can help you to make contact with people in the sector you are interested in Examples of your creativity on web pages, blogs, online videos are important in media/ creative industries
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  How to MakeContact? Letter/email • Cover letter, outlining why you are interested in gaining experience, plus a targeted CV • You have control over the information you give the employer • Gives the employer time to think about what they can offer you • Good to follow up with a telephone call. Phone call • An initial phone call has immediacy but can put you (and the employer) on the spot! • If you ring, think about what you want to say first! • Stay calm and collected articulate your message with clarity!
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  Look after yournetwork • Follow up and keep in touch • Say “Thank you!” • Share good news! • Offer to help others
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  Support we offer: •Careers and Employability Centre - Ground Floor Library • Talk through your ideas with a careers adviser 1:1 • Attend an Event - Employer Presentations / Job Fair • Use our website - www.sussex.ac.uk/careers